I've found it to be a great asset, esp when going for clinches. I've been working on 'pensatao' or the crazy monkey defense, whatever you want to call it.

What I've noticed is that a skilled user will be able to negate most jabs with it with brutal effectiveness. However, it does not seem to work against slaps as efficiently.

I've used slaps to create openings in the pensatao, I've actually discouraged sparring partners from using it with powerslaps that hurt like a b!tch.

Not only that, it seems to be a very good 'mental' poker. It seems to bring out a more aggressive reaction in the opponents. It seems get them off focus. I've actually made a very defensive fighter go on the offense, an area which he is not skilled in, voluntarily.

It seems to work well in GnP tactics as well?

What's your thoughts?

~Donnie out

_________________________
I got two fists.. Don't make me use my head as well!

A big part of why slapping is not used so often, I think, is the cultural perception of it as an insult, or even that it is gender specific ('b1tch-slap').

Of course, you wouldnt want to rely on slapping as a primary form of striking, simply because it lacks concussive power (yes I know in theory it could KO someone, but my money is on a punch every time).

Remember that Rutten vs Frank Shamrock fight where they were gridlocked , fighting for eachothers knee bars, and Rutten started slapping Shamrock? (it was Pancrase I think, so no fists allowed). Shamrock started goading Rutten, laughing at him resorting to the technique, until Rutten took the bait and hit him with a closed fist, thus getting DQ'd

I would never rely on a technique that my attacker could laugh through.

The deeper I delve into the crazy monkey defense, the more I fear using a proper clenched fist technique unless I'm 100% and 10% extra sure, I won't hit an elbow.

Well here you have to qualify if you are looking to utilise technique in sparring, as a persuit of interest, or if you are looking to practical application outside of the training session.

If the latter, then ask yourself this:1. How likely are you to encounter a crazy monkey defence outside of your class?

2. if the answer to that is as I think (very unlikely), then, as every second of a physical defence counts, if you can reach a target with a slap, you can reach it with a fist.

3. which would you, in your experience of both giving, and recieving strikes, find more likely to end an attack?

I love MA's, and I love everything I have learned (such as it is), but I have never been taught, or practiced, anything that has convinced me that I need much more than a couple of really hard punches and the ability to get hold of someone and throw 'em around a bit, if it gets messy.

Thats me, but just doesnt seem like a sensible alternative.

Quote:No no, slapping I see it more as a way to goad or provoke people into a different mental state.

Ah yes, the old 'make em angry and profit from their lack of control' idea.

Sorry, but making someone more angrier only makes things worse when its not a theory on paper- if not right there and then, if your attacker loses 'face', then they are much more likely to come find you for retribution.

I used a slap once to avoid a fight. Basically I was in a situation I knew was about to escalate (long story) anyway I didn't really want to punch the guy for a number of reasons but walking away was not really an option either, so I bitched slapped him, and gave him a firm talking too. (can't print what I actually said but you can do the math)

It could have gone the other way as well, but I had a feeling once he was exposed to my power and superior quickness, he would choose to live to fight another day. (joke)

Serious though, I find slaps to more of a mental strike then a physical. Like putting a kid in a headlock in grade school, not really fighting just proving who is the bigger dog, before fighting or doing real damage.

The application of this type of thing is pretty limited as well, although the urge to bitchslap someone is often a common occurrence

Slaps in sparring or an actual fight, never say never but I don't see it. Open hand strikes, sure I can see plenty of applications, though I imagine most of us would throw fists.